Timelines for year 1903
Laura Hope Crews
Despite her film resume, Laura Hope Crews considered herself a theatrical actress, appearing on Broadway from 1903 in over 40 major productions, literally until the day she died. She was cast in the smash hit "Arsenic and Old Lace" at the Fulton Theatre in the role of "Abby Brewster" in June, 1942. After her death that November 13th she was replaced by Patricia Collinge.
Jane Cowl
Influential Broadway director, playwright and actress; active there from 1903- 47 (see "Other Works").
Gladys McConnell
Her second husband was A. Ronald Button (b. 1903, d. 1987), an attorney. He began practicing law in Hollywood in 1928, where he had a number of celebrity clients, including Hedy Lamarr. Later, he specialized in corporate and business law. Eventually, he was appointed California State Treasurer.
Grover Cleveland
His son Francis (1903-1995) lived to age 92 which was 158 years after his father's birth.
Louis B. Mayer
Was the father-in-law of producer/studio boss William Goetz (1903-1969), married to Mayer's daughter Edith (Mrs. William Goetz). As one of the initial investors in Darryl F. Zanuck's fledgling Twentieth Century Pictures (which would soon merge with ailing Fox), Mayer insisted that his son-in-law be hired so as to get him out of MGM. Goetz served as executive vice president of Twentieth Century-Fox, heading the studio during Darryl F. Zanuck's leave of absence to serve in the military in 1942. Zanuck, fearful of his underling's ambitions, forced him out of the company upon his return in 1943. Ironically both Mayer and Zanuck felt that Goetz was decidedly unimaginative and a mediocre film executive. That same year Goetz formed International Pictures, which merged with Universal in 1946. Goetz would go on to become one of the most successful movie moguls in the post-TV era.
Julian Rivero
Spouse, Isabel (or Isobel) Thomas (25 September 1903, Liverpool, England - 23 October 1948, Los Angeles, CA), was a Sennett Bathing Beauty.
Robert McWade
Had extensive experience as a stage actor. McWade was active on Broadway from 1903-1927. He moved to Hollywood upon the introduction of talkies and became a reliable member of Warner Brothers' stock company.
Irving Berlin
His second wife, Ellin, was born March 22, 1903. Her father, Clarence H. Mackay was the son of John W. Mackay (1831-1902), one of the principal owner/operators of the Comstock Lode (Consolidated Virginia and California Mine in Nevada, also Bonanza Firm - a four-way partnership worth some $190,000,000 by 1877), one of the major silver discoveries in 1870s. A devout conservative Roman Catholic Irishman, Clarence was horrified his daughter was engaged to a Jew and disowned her. They would later reconcile in the early 1930s.
Frank Capra
Emigrated to America with his parents in 1903. They settled in Los Angeles, where his older brother was already living.
Jack L. Warner
In 1903, his father bought a nickelodeon in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Jack was a boy soprano who sang between films. He went on a singing tour of vaudeville theaters in the Mid-Atlantic States, but returned home when his brothers decided to go into movie production.
Claiborne Cary
Born in Johnson Co., daughter of Berkeley Claiborne "Buck" Leachman (1903-1956) and wife Cloris Wallace (1901-1967).
Cloris Leachman
Born in Polk Co., daughter of Berkeley Claiborne "Buck" Leachman (1903-1956) and wife Cloris Wallace (1901-1967).
Georges Méliès
His brother Gaston Méliès helped his older brother in his screenplays and film productions, and in 1903 he opened a sales office in New York City to market his films in the US. They published a film catalog with extensive descriptions in English. In that period, Georges would shoot two negatives of each of his films, one of which would be sent to the States. After his bankruptcy, younger brother Henri Méliès was most helpful running the family shoe factory in London.
Tom London
Although his name is sometimes listed in reference works for Edison's The Great Train Robbery (1903), he was a boy living in Louisville, Kentucky at the time that film was made in New Jersey, and does not appear in it.
Ernie Coombs
He restored an Auburn automobile, a vintage car manufactured from 1903 to 1936. He attended Auburn car shows and rallies every chance he got.